Claire Gorton will never forget the day she started her new job at East Cheshire Hospice.
Her arrival last month coincided with the announcement of the latest national lockdown.
It was not the news Claire and the fundraising team she had just joined wanted to hear, especially after such a frustrating year for the charity.
Claire, who is Community Fundraising Assistant, said: “The new lockdown came just as I started and in my first week it should have been our Christmas tree collection which was postponed unfortunately.
“It’s a difficult time to fundraise, but also such an important time to be fundraising. It’s going to be a challenge but that’s also exciting.
“There are plenty of ways people can fundraise without coming together. Supporters are getting more creative and adapting because of the way things are and coming up with fresh ideas.”
Claire Gorton with some of her ceramics.
Claire, from Nether Alderley, had her job interview last March with her appointment delayed by Covid-19.
Her previous job as a technical demonstrator at Quarry Bank involved explaining the cotton mill’s role in the Industrial Revolution.
She said: Â “It was very interesting, I learned a lot there and it was a nice place to work. I demonstrated the old machinery for hand spinning and weaving, cotton processing and the spinning mule.
“I fell in love with storytelling and engaging the visitors, but fancied a new challenge. I saw the job advertised and enjoy talking to the public and felt it’d be exciting to get people engaged in raising money for the Hospice.”
Claire already had links with the charity, her mum Pat inspiring her to join its memory walks, while a close family friend was cared for at the Hospice.
Claire said: “I’ve been to the Hospice in a visiting capacity as well, so have that understanding of what it means to patients and their families at quite difficult times.”
Meanwhile, older brother Rob is undertaking a series of fundraising challenges, including a Hospice trek to the Sahara in November.
Claire has a degree in design crafts with ceramics her speciality.
She said:Â “I’ve had a small business making and selling ceramics in my spare time since I graduated from university in 2016.
“I have a little shed on the family farm where I make my ceramics which I normally sell at places like the Treacle Market, Â but that’s cancelled at the moment so I’ve been selling online.”
Claire Gorton in front the kiln in her shed with her ceramics.